#1 IN THE WORLD. #1 IN OUR HEARTS!
The Yellow Jacket Squad Reigns Supreme as WVU Cheerleaders Crowned World Champions
It was a moment that transcended the mat, the megaphone, and the spirit stick.
On a glowing summer night in Orlando, Florida, the West Virginia University (WVU) Yellow Jacket Cheerleading Squad stunned the world—and ESPN’s global stage—by capturing the World Cheerleading Championship title, officially crowned as the No. 1 Cheer Team in the World.
The roar from the Mountaineer faithful could be felt all the way from the Walt Disney World ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to the mountain hollows of Morgantown. Gold pom-poms shimmered, blue bows danced in the wind, and the sky itself seemed to chant “W-V-U!”
The Daughters of Morgantown
Led by senior captain Tiana “Torch” Harris, the Yellow Jacket Squad arrived in Florida with one goal: to show the world that West Virginia spirit doesn’t whisper—it roars. With gravity-defying pyramids, synchronized tumbling passes that snapped like thunder, and a high-energy routine blending Appalachian flair with cutting-edge technique, the squad earned a record-breaking 99.2 score from the international panel of judges.
“These girls are more than athletes,” said Head Coach Lana Jennings, herself a former WVU cheer alum. “They are artists, warriors, and the living embodiment of what Mountaineer pride looks like in motion.”
This year’s routine paid homage to West Virginia’s rich coal-mining history, opening with the sound of pickaxes and the voice of John Denver singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” But by the 45-second mark, the performance ignited—literally—as digital flames shot across the LED floor and a stunt group launched sophomore flyer Emmie Lou Carter fifteen feet into the air, catching her with thunderous precision as the crowd erupted.
“We Are the Wave”
Now affectionately nicknamed “The Wave” by fans on social media, the squad has sparked a new national movement of cheer pride. TikTok videos of their championship routine have surpassed 22 million views, and #SweetMountaineers is trending across platforms.
ESPN’s broadcast anchor Monique Sanders described the team as, “Flawless in form, fearless in fight. They didn’t just perform—they declared their place in history.”
Honoring a Legacy
The team returned to Morgantown to a hero’s welcome. Thousands gathered outside the Mountainlair Student Union, waving flags, singing the school’s fight song, and watching as the squad raised the World Champions banner alongside WVU’s historic football and basketball accolades.
President Gordon Gee announced that a new training facility would be named in their honor: The Yellow Jacket Cheer Performance Center, breaking ground in spring 2026.
Final Words from the Mat
Tiana Harris summed it up best in her post-win interview:
> “We didn’t come here just to win. We came to prove that cheer is more than a sideline—it’s a spotlight. And tonight, we shined.”
And shine they did. From Morgantown to the world stage, The Yellow Jacket Squad didn’t just lift their teammates—they lifted the spirit of an entire state.
